Geodon

Generic Name: ziprasidone (zi PRAY si done)
Brand Names: Geodon

What is Geodon?

Geodon (ziprasidone) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Geodon is used to treat schizophrenia and the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Geodon may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Geodon

Geodon is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Geodon may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Do not use Geodon if you have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have uncontrolled heart failure.

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Stop taking Geodon and call your doctor right away if you feel dizzy or light-headed, have a fast or pounding heartbeat, or if you faint. This could be signs of a serious heart rhythm problem.

There are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with Geodon.

Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Before taking Geodon

Geodon is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Geodon may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ziprasidone, or if you have:

• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";

• history of recent heart attack; or

• uncontrolled or untreated heart failure.

Geodon should never be taken together with any of the following drugs, or a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder could occur:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• droperidol (Inapsine);

• halofantrine (Halfan);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);

• anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Arelan), or mefloquine (Lariam);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

• medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, such as dolasetron (Anzemet) or ondansetron (Zofran);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril);

• migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

• narcotic medication such as methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine).

To make sure you can safely take Geodon, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• a history of bone marrow or blood cell disorder;

• low blood levels of potassium or magnesium;

• diabetes (Geodon may raise your blood sugar);

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a history of suicidal thoughts;

• Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's;

• trouble swallowing;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

Geodon may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Geodon.

The orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of Geodon if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Geodon , do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. It is not known whether ziprasidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from Geodon.

See also: Geodon pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Geodon?

Take Geodon exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

To be sure Geodon is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Take this medicine with food.

It is important to take Geodon regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

It may take several weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Store Geodon at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

See also: Geodon dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, problems with speech, dizziness, feeling light-headed, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.

What should I avoid while taking Geodon?

While you are taking Geodon, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medicine.

Geodon may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Geodon.

See also: Geodon and alcohol (in more detail)

Geodon side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Geodon: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Geodon and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• dizziness, feeling light-headed, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

• stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking), restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

• agitation, hostility, confusion;

• increased thirst or urination, weakness, extreme hunger; or

• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious Geodon side effects may include:

• mild skin rash;

• anxiety, headache, depressed mood;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• muscle pain or twitching;

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or

• weight gain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Geodon side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Geodon?

Before taking Geodon, tell your doctor if you regularly use any other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Geodon.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:

• a diuretic (water pill), blood pressure medicine, or heart rhythm medicine;

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• haloperidol (Haldol);

• narcotic pain medication; or

• medicines used to treat Parkinson's Disease such as levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa, Sinemet, Atamet, others).

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with Geodon. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Geodon.